Now Commenting On:

Padres send struggling Hundley to Triple-A

Padres send struggling Hundley to Triple-A

6/25/12: Nick Hundley rips a two-run double to left field to give the Padres a 3-2 lead in the second inning

By AJ Cassavell
/
MLB.com |

A rough season just took an even rougher turn for Padres catcher Nick Hundley.

According to the U-T San Diego, the Padres sent Hundley to Triple-A Tucson after Friday's 10-2 loss to the Rockies. The club is hoping he'll be able to work out some kinks at the plate, which have caused him to hit just .166 with three homers in 55 games this season.

Catcher Yasmani Grandal will take Hundley's place on the big league roster. The 23-year old Grandal was hitting .335 with six homers and 35 RBIs for Tucson. Before the call-up, he was slated to play in next Sunday's Future's Game.

During Spring Training, the Padres committed $9 million over the next three seasons to Hundley, with an option for a fourth year -- a contract that seemingly indicated he would be the catcher of the future.

But not much has gone right for Hundley this season, as he is just 4-for-30 in his last 10 games. He did not play Friday.

"Obviously, it's not my choice," Hundley told the U-T San Diego. "It's not the road you want to travel, but it's not always going to be perfect. I want to be here.

"I have to take a step back and get it right, because it hasn't been right this year. I can't stand here and deny it. And I appreciate the fact that they were still throwing me out there when I wasn't playing well."

In 82 games with the Padres last season, the 28-year-old Hundley hit .288 with nine home runs.

AJ Cassavell is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.